STARS Volleyball offered in Strathmore for young people

Times Contributor

 

STARS Volleyball is the third session (the other two being Basketball and Badminton) offered each year in March, April and May (in addition to Summer Camps in August) run by Coach Pat Fule. 

Fule, who has dedicated himself to teaching not only skills to young people – in particularly these three sports – but more importantly “the love of the game.” He has the philosophy to instill the love of the game, fine-tune the sport and also a dedication to teach “superb sportsmanship” to each of the young participants.

Fule offers the programming to children from Grades 1 through 9. Special modifications are employed to help younger players to learn and display actual volleyball skills. 

In fact, one of the very first session deals with footwork and arm swing, so players can learn to hit the volleyball. Some of the other modifications include using badminton nets and courts, as well as softer and lighter volleyballs.

Each of the one-hour sessions is divided into a half hour of skills and fun drills, followed by half an hour of 3-on-3, or 4-on-4 games. This allows the players to touch the volleyball more often in order to develop their skills.

High school students (some varsity players) are often on the teams to help with game play, and to ensure all players get to have the volleyball set or played to them. The first two sessions (Grades 1-3 and Grades 4-5) stay on the badminton courts with the lighter and softer volleyballs. These do not hurt as much as regulation volleyballs and allow players to learn and play with little fear of the actual ball.

The last session (Grades 6-9) still use badminton courts and small teams, but use different nets and poles, so that the players are playing closer to regulation height. This allows for players to be challenged, yet still be able to have success at playing the ball at this higher net setting. 

The badminton court and smaller teams allow for more ball touches by the players, and more opportunities to improve their skills. Again, like JETS Basketball and JETS Badminton, less emphasis is placed on winning and stats, and more is placed on learning the technical skills in an enjoyable setting.

For more Information about the sports and when they are offered or about the summer camps, e-mail Fule at jetsathletics@shaw.ca or call 403-934-4599.